True Precision Irrigation Technology

Precision farming has enabled growers to implement greater control over their operation. So, it makes sense that precise irrigation can quickly yield results.

Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) from Valley® Irrigation uses prescriptions developed specifically for each field, allowing growers to apply precise water application throughout the field. With this technology, growers can more efficiently use their resources.

Valley VRI is completely compatible with third party agronomists and precision ag companies, so others can write VRI prescriptions for Valley equipment. Or with just a few pieces of information, the Valley VRI team can write a QuickStart Prescription for you.

Watch this video to find out more about VRI and its benefits.

Congrats to the Best of the Best | by Brooke Stover

One thing has become very clear to me in the course of my (almost) three years of employment at Valley Irrigation: Valley dealers are the heart and soul of our company. That’s why we hold them to the highest standards in the industry. 

I know we have the hardest working dealers in the industry. They’re always doing what they can to ensure their customers’ success. While attending trade shows and Valley events, I have talked with many of these dealers and those instances have been highlights of my employment.

At Valley, we reward dealers for their hard work and recognize them for excellence in various areas of their operation through our Dealer Performance Program, which awards based on accomplishments. The most prestigious level a Valley dealer can reach is that of a Premier dealer.

I want to give a shout out to the special group of dealers who earned their place in the Valley Premier dealer category:

• Central Valley Irrigation, Holdrege, NE
• Lad Irrigation of George, Quincy, WA
• Lad Irrigation of Moses Lake, Moses Lake, WA
• MAISCO, Middlebury, IN.
• Mid-Continent Irrigation, Fremont, NE
• Tennessee Tractor, Brownsville, TN
• Valmont Northwest, Pasco, WA

If you know someone at these dealerships, then make sure to congratulate them – they definitely deserve it!

Central Valley Irrigation

Lad Irrigation of  Moses Lake 

Lad Irrigation of George 

MAISCO

Valmont Northwest

Tennessee Tractor

Mid-Continent Irrigation

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Brooke Stover Global Marketing Coordinator Brooke has been with the Valley Irrigation Global Marketing department since 2011. She spends her free time taking pottery classes; though she thoroughly enjoys this, most of her stuff is a bit lopsided. Brooke also loves to read and listen to Frank Sinatra. She enjoys traveling and has been to 19 countries with the goal to make it to six more in the next two years!

Valley Values – Durability | by Matt Ondrejko

One thing that amazes and inspires me is seeing Valley_® center pivots in the field that have been operating for 30+ years. Around the world, it is not uncommon to meet a grower who is proud to tell you his first pivot was a Valley and it is still running today. Heck, here in Nebraska, you can still see original Valley water-drive units in operation.  

The Durability of a Valley pivot is known throughout the world. That Durability is a key reason why the majority of irrigators continue to buy and recommend Valley machines to their friends and neighbors. Our customers work hard and expect their equipment to do the same thing. Valley delivers on that expectation.

Here at Valley, we have made changes to bring technology and product enhancements to the market to meet the changing needs of our customers. However, one thing we build into any change or upgrade is the promise of Durability that made the Valley name what it is today. The Valley brand is built on our performance through the years. Future success requires us to uphold and strengthen the key traits anchoring that performance.

Lasting brands stand the test of time and persevere through all the elements they are exposed to. Through blazing heat and windy winters, Valley pivots stand tall and are built to last. That’s the Durability promise that you can count on.

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Matt Ondrejko VP Global Marketing The one word that can sum up Matt is "enthusiasm!" He likes to be on-the-go and have fun along the way. Matt loves music and the 1980s era. He is a child of the MTV generation and has a deep appreciation of all music genres (specifically, he is a huge Dave Matthews Band groupie). Matt has traveled to more than 70 countries around the world and enjoys learning about different cultures and people. He spent three years living with his family in Leuven, Belgium, trying to enjoy as many of the 700+ beers they brew there.

Don’t Miss the Feb. 10 Deadline | by Shannon Peterson

If you read other ag blogs or visit other agriculture websites, you’ve probably heard this message already. Even so, it merits repeating.

You recently received the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey in the mail. Please fill it out and return it to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) by Feb. 10.

Why?

Well, first and foremost, you are required by law to respond.

But, additionally, the timely, accurate, and useful statistics from this survey are critically important to growers, the irrigation industry, farm organizations, funding sources, and others involved in agriculture.

Here at Valley_®, we use the survey data to explain irrigation efficiencies. We use it to demonstrate the commitment of irrigators to the conservation of our most valuable resource. We use it to defend irrigation practices, farmers, and our products. And we use it to refute false statements that appear in media coverage and elsewhere.

The survey results also aid in the development of improved technology, better equipment, and more efficient water-use practices.

According to the NASS:

• This survey provides the only comprehensive information on irrigation activities and water use across American farms, ranches, and horticultural operations.
• It provides information on water sources and amount of water used, acres irrigated by type of system, irrigation and yield by crop, and system investments and energy costs.
• Approximately 35,000 producers across the United States will participate in the survey.
• The results help develop and promote efficient irrigation practices and ensure long-term sustainability of water resources.
• Your responses will not be shared with anyone, including other government agencies, under threat of subpoena.

Your voice matters and your participation is vitally important.

So, fill it out and send it in.

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Shannon Peterson Marketing Content Editor Shannon joined Valley Irrigation in 2013. She enjoys traveling with her family, particularly to national parks, and she occasionally writes about her travels for travel magazines. Shannon also likes reading, trying new restaurants, seeing movies, and watching Husker football and Creighton basketball. However, she and her husband spend most of their free time chauffeuring their teenage son to activities and chasing their baby daughter.

Taking Irrigation Management to the Next Level with BaseStation3

The latest product that can improve growers' daily lives is coming soon. Valley_®  BaseStation3™ will  provide growers with a simple, customizable irrigation management solution.

“This product is designed to be very graphical and intuitive,” explains Vice President of Engineering and Strategic Technology Development Craig Malsam, who was in on the ground floor of the development of BaseStation3. “It should be intuitively easy to use; like an ATM – no user’s manual needed. It’s basically plug and play, right off the shelf.”

Product Manager John Campbell says people are really excited about this product.

BaseStation3 will allow growers to use a dedicated radio or cellular network to monitor and manage their irrigation machines remotely, through a tablet, smartphone, laptop, personal desktop computer, or just about any device that has a Web browser. Growers will be able to view more information in one place, from in-field moisture conditions to weather, and download native apps for iOS or Android devices.

This irrigation management solution will accommodate any type of installation and management practice, and not just for pivots. Growers will be able to control any brand of linears, solid set systems, and other irrigation machines. 

“We designed it to grow with the farming operation,” explains Campbell. “We’re very excited to provide growers with such a user-friendly, time-saving product.”





Text published in PivotPoint Fall 2013

Meet Us at a Trade Show

Valley Irrigation team members will be spreading out across the country to attend trade shows in February.

2013 National Farm Machinery Show

These shows allow us to highlight our innovations and technology, and showcase new products that increase farm efficiency and yields. 

More importantly, the shows give us an opportunity to discuss irrigation solutions with our key customers, as well as build relationships with potential customers.

Next up on our trade show schedule:

•         World Ag Expo, Feb. 11-13, Tulare, CA
•         National Farm Machinery Show, Feb. 12-15, Louisville, KY,
•         Commodity Classic, Feb. 27-March 1, San Antonio, TX
•         Mid-South Farm and Gin, Feb. 28-March 1, Memphis, TN

If you find yourself at one of these shows, be sure to stop by the Valley booth and say hello. You can meet us, meet our dedicated Valley dealers, and see our products up close.  See you at the shows!

Turning your Farm into a Tourism Site? | by Shannon Peterson

Did you know that millions of people take trips to rural destinations every year? They visit farms to pick apples, take hayrack rides, watch cows give birth, and experience rural life.

Nebraska's Roca Berry Farm offers U-pick
strawberries (Nebraska Tourism)

That’s right; people want to pay to do the things farm families do every day. It’s called agritourism and it is one of the fastest growing niches in the travel industry.

Expanding beyond traditional ag operations to offer farm experiences to visitors is also a way to supplement farm income and educate the public about agriculture. You don’t need to create the next big thing. You just need a little imagination and creativity, followed by some research and planning.

If you are considering opening your farm to the public, there is an abundance of resources to help you determine whether agritourism is right for your operation and family.

The USDA National Agriculture Library website includes a detailed guide on “Promoting Tourism in Rural America” that includes more than 50 links to how-to guides, manuals, and handbooks. The Rural Information Center’s Rural Tourism page provides additional resources including success stories, funding assistance programs, and links to even more information.

The Nebraska Tourism Commission has an excellent “Guide to Agri-Tourism and Eco-Tourism Development” that outlines what it takes to develop an agritourism business. It includes worksheets to evaluate your family’s values and expectations, set goals, outline a financial plan, and more. Many state tourism offices have agritourism consultants that can assist you as well.

If you’ve already done some research and are getting ready to take the next step, consider attending the Nebraska Agri/Eco-Tourism Workshop, Feb. 3-5, in Kearney, NE. The workshop can help you take advantage of your land and develop an attraction. Other states offer workshops too, contact your state tourism board or department of agriculture.

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Shannon Peterson Marketing Content Editor Shannon joined Valley Irrigation in 2013. She enjoys traveling with her family, particularly to national parks, and she occasionally writes about her travels for travel magazines. Shannon also likes reading, trying new restaurants, seeing movies, and watching Husker football and Creighton basketball. However, she and her husband spend most of their free time chauffeuring their teenage son to activities and chasing their baby daughter.

Valley Technology Is Changing the Way You Farm

Originally published in PivotPoint Fall 2013

Who could have predicted that technology like tablets and smartphones could improve the way we farm?

Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that those smart devices have changed our lives – from the way we communicate to the way we entertain ourselves. For many growers, it doesn't stop there.

According to Valley_® Product Manager John Campbell, the nearly universal adoption of smart devices – even more than the use of laptops – has driven the high level of adoption of remote tracking and control.

“Growers have more confidence in technology now, and with the Tracker products, they see a very real payback,” he said.

As proof, Campbell says TrackNET^® sales are rising significantly every year. “They’re reliable,” he said, “and our dealers and growers have real confidence in these products. They make life so much easier and save a lot of time for the grower.

“Everyone who purchases a TrackNET product comments that they don’t know how they ever got along without it. That’s the best testimonial there is. After all, a grower can see what’s happening from the office, the kitchen table – or even from the beach!”

As TrackNET sales have increased, so have the service and support provided for the products.

“We want to make sure the growers have everything they need, so they can remain confident that their products will keep doing the job for many years,” Campbell said.

Find out which Tracker product is right for you or take our demo for a spin.